Ten battles in the generational war at Real Madrid

Real Madrid are going through a major transition in of the outlook of their first team squad.

The first signs of a revolution emerged last season as the old guard lost their grip on the elite game in Europe and their places in their own team.

Thanks to the club's extensive recruitment in recent years, there's a new generation coming through, packed with plenty of talent.

You've got youngsters like Andriy Lunin (21 years old), Achraf Hakimi (21), Eder Militao (22), Ferland Mendy (24), Fede Valverde (21), Takefusa Kubo (18), Martin Odegaard (21), Reinier Jesus (18), Luka Jovic (22), Vinicius Junior (19) and Rodrygo Goes (19).

As for the old guard, there are Thibaut Courtois (27), Dani Carvajal (28), Sergio Ramos (34), Nacho (30), Marcelo (31), Casemiro (28), Toni Kroos (30), Luka Modric (34), Gareth Bale (30), Eden Hazard (29), and Karim Benzema (32).

We've picked out 10 possible clash points in this generational war, with specific positions changing hands over the coming months and years.

Odegaard (21 years old) vs Modric (34)

Real Madrid see the Norwegian as the natural successor to the Croatian who, this season, has started to fall out of contention in the starting line-up.

Modric's future at the Bernabeu is uncertain but, in the event that he does leave Los Blancos, there's a replacement already lined up.

Valverde (21) vs Kroos (30)

Valverde has already established himself as a regular starter for Real Madrid and, as a result, has relegated Kroos to the bench on more than one occasion.

The inclusion of the Uruguayan in the team, breaking the bond between Modric and Kroos, this season has coincided with an impressive upturn in form for the whole side.

It'll be difficult to keep Valverde out of the team, no matter who you are, from this point on.

Vinicius (19) vs Hazard (29)

Vinicius' favoured left side has been occupied by the Belgian while he's been fit since his arrival from Chelsea last summer.

However, with Hazard out injured, the Brazilian has put in a string of dazzling performances, namely against Barcelona in the Clasico.

It could be that Zidane is forced to move Hazard out of position in order to incorporate both into the starting XI.

Rodrygo (19) vs Bale (30)

The future of Real Madrid's right wing looks certain to fall into the Brazilian's hands and he's already began to make his mark.

On several occasions this season, the teenager has beaten both Bale and Lucas Vazquez to a starting place and repaid his coach's confidence with some important contributions.

One thing to note is that Bale will be out of Zidane's plans, whether he stays at Real Madrid or not.

Achraf (21) vs Carvajal (21)

During his time at the Bernabeu, Carvajal has shaken off competition from various right-backs and truly made the position his own.

However, Achraf has proved that he's good enough to play at the elite during a two-year loan spell at Borussia Dortmund and is set to return to Real Madrid this summer.

There will, no doubt, be a period of settling in for the Moroccan international to do after two seasons away from Valdebebas.

Mendy (24) vs Marcelo (31)

The Brazilian has seen his grip on the left-back position loosen in the last two seasons, with Sergio Reguilon and now Mendy ousting him from the team.

Marcelo's performances have come under scrutiny from club and fans alike and a summer exit for him could well be on the cards.

Lunin (21) vs Courtois (27)

Right now, with Lunin struggling to find game time out on loan in the past couple of campaigns, this debate is non-existent.

Courtois is the undisputed No.1 for Zidane and, while Real Madrid have confidence in Lunin's talents, the Ukrainian has barely played at lesser clubs, let alone Los Blancos.

Jovic (22) vs Benzema (32)

Benzema hasn't given the Serbian a look in since his move from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.

The Frenchman's goals and performance levels in recent years make him virtually impossible to drop and Zidane isn't considering fielding an attack without him for the moment.

Jovic arrived to help Benzema shoulder the goalscoring responsibilities but, so far, he's been unable to lend a hand and has fallen behind Mariano Diaz in the pecking order.

Militao (22) vs Ramos (34)

The captain has been a starter for Real Madrid since he was signed from Sevilla at the age of 19 and continues to be at the age of 34.

On the other hand, Los Blancos were looking to the future when they spent big money to bring Militao to the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian hasn't been given much chance to stake a claim at centre-back so far, with Ramos and Raphael Varane's partnership still unbreakable.

Kubo (18) vs Isco (27)

Despite showing signs that he was back to his best in recent months, Isco's future at Real Madrid is not guaranteed.

After a poor 2018/19 campaign and his bust-ups with Santiago Solari, the Spaniard has fallen out of favour a touch at the club.

As for Kubo, he's the latest exciting prospect that could take Real Madrid by storm sooner or later.